Niall pauses for a second.
‘You’ve given me some sound advice down the years when I was going through tough times, Charlie, so I wanted to do something for you in return,’ he says. ‘Call me crazy, but I always think there’s something almost magical that happens at Seaview Cottage. I hope you come back at least with a clearer mind and a way forward.’
I await his punchline with a smile, knowing it’s on the way.
‘Great things happen when we least expect them.’
That’s my boy. He never lets me down. I do my best not to be cynical in my response, but I freeze when I hear Rose’s footsteps coming down the stairs.
She is singing, which makes my eyes widen, and my heart races a little faster with Niall on the other end of the phone.
‘Well, anyhow, yes, so far, so good,’ I say loudly, doing my best to end the conversation and drown out the noise in the background. Rose is lilting now to a part of her song of choice as she obviously doesn’t know the words and she isn’t keeping it down at all, but then she probably doesn’t expect me to be here at this time of the morning.
I’m on the edge of the sofa, wearing only my boxer shorts, and I’ve a feeling she’s about to—
‘Oh! I’m sorry! I thought you’d be gone by now.’
Niall hears her. It would be very difficult not to.
‘Who is that?’
I don’t know who to answer first, Niall on the phone or Rose who stands in front of me, or if I should I try to calm down Max who is now yelping with joy at seeing his buddy George.
Rose closes the sitting room door quickly, taking both dogs with her, and I sigh with relief, but it’s too late. Niall is on the ball.
‘Was that – Charlie, you old devil! Who’s the lucky lady? Ah, kid, I’m over the moon for you. Sadie and I were so worried about you up there all alone for Christmas.’
He holds the phone away and shouts to his wife before I get the chance to explain.
‘Sadie! Charlie has a new lady friend with him.’
I can’t stop him. Between him and my daughter jumping to conclusions, I’ve no defence.
I hear Sadie’s sweet, familiar voice in the background. ‘That’s the best news! We can settle now, or at least you can stop wondering if he’s coping on his own up there.’
I was best man at their wedding, and if Niall is like the brother I never had, she’s almost like my sister. I know they’ve both my best interests at heart.
Niall comes back to me.
‘Look, don’t even let me hold you back one second, my friend. I’m seriously over the moon. In fact, that’s made my whole Christmas already.’
‘It’s not like that, really,’ I say as quietly as I can. I don’t want Rose to hear any of this. ‘It’s just there was a mix-up with—’
‘No need to explain. Your mix-ups are your business, kid. OK, I’d better go ’cos Sadie is dragging me shopping today once I finish work, but hey, we’re thrilled to bits for you. I’ll have a pint in your honour later. This is so good. Catch up with you later, Charlie. No wonder you’re in bed until this time of the morning. Guinness, my arse. Enjoy!’
He laughs heartily as he hangs up, leaving me no time to explain the truth to him, so I lie back on the sofa and decide to start the day all over again.
Rose is still singing in the kitchen. She’s playing cheesy Christmas songs and I close my eyes, unable to hide the smile that creeps over my face. Why am I smiling? I hate Christmas songs and she is the worst singer I’ve ever heard in my whole existence – and I’ve heard some dodgy voices down the years.
I put my head in my hands and squeeze my temples.
As much as her messiness annoys me, her clumsiness can be irritating and her singing is enough to make my ears bleed, I have no choice but to admit that Rose has a certain charm which I’m beginning to get used to in a tiny way.
But I need to reinstate the rules I was adamant we stick to in the first place. From today on, I’ll do my best once again to keep my distance.
To become any more familiar would be a recipe for disaster, and the last thing either of us need.
Yesterday was a one-off because she’d hurt herself. Today, it’s back to business as usual.
